Observation: Alta Ski Area

Observation Date
11/12/2018
Observer Name
Greg Gagne & Mark Johnston
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area
Location Name or Route
Mount Baldy - Alta
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Comments
Video showing snowpack structure at 10,200' on northerly aspect on Mt. Baldy in the closed Alta ski resort. As no avalanche mitigation is taking place, Alta is no different than the backcountry. Just posting a video as I'm mostly curious if the buried crusts are breaking down and disintegrating. The crusts do seem a bit weaker since I checked this past Friday, but there is also quite a bit of spatial variability, and for the time being are still supportive. The very low-density stellars that fell Sunday have faceted near the surface, and the new snow that is preserved on shady aspects will likely facet this coming week as well. Really appreciative of Alta still supporting uphill travel as they continue to prepare their hill for the season opening.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None